The Rise of Hijackings in South Africa’s E-Commerce Sector is becoming a Growing Threat to Small Delivery Vehicles
Growing up in the southern suburbs of South Africa, my favourite treat was to go to the local Portuguese run café and buy a lucky packet. This was a sealed paper bag of sweets with a mystery toy hidden inside. Today’s modern criminals are treating delivery vehicles (both large and small) as lucky packets on wheels and there is very little being done to stop them.
As e-commerce continues to expand across South Africa, a new and alarming trend has emerged – the hijackings of small delivery vehicles. With more consumers opting to shop online, the demand for efficient and on-time deliveries has surged, and so has the risk of these vehicles being targeted by criminals seeking to steal goods or the vehicles, or both. The rise of e-commerce has undeniably brought many benefits to the South African economy, but it has also exposed vulnerabilities in the delivery logistics sector that are putting drivers, businesses, and customers at risk.
New international entrants to the market such as the e-commerce giant Amazon.com and fast-fashion online retailers Shein and Temu, have also intensified the competition for a greater share of online wallets. As a result, South Africa has witnessed a significant growth in e-commerce in recent years.
According to a report by Statista, the South African e-commerce market was valued at approximately R30.5 billion in 2020, with expectations to grow to R42.9 billion by 2025.
However, real growth has far exceeded this with growth of 29% to R71-billion in 2023.
In real terms, e-commerce commanded a 6% share of total retail sales in 2023, with this share predicted to grow to 10% of total retail sales by 2026, according to a study by World Wide Worx in May 2024.
The Covid pandemic, while not directly responsible for the change in consumer spending patterns, has accelerated this shift, with more South Africans turning to online shopping for convenience and safety. As more goods are purchased online, there is an increasing need for efficient delivery solutions, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses that rely on smaller delivery vehicles. This study also noted that 20% of respondents have their own fleet of delivery vehicles, whereas 60% outsource their last-mile deliveries to smaller operators who can better cover local areas.
However, this growth has also come with unintended consequences. Small delivery vehicles, which typically transport goods for businesses in urban and suburban areas, are becoming prime targets for hijackers. Criminals are increasingly exploiting this trend, with many opting to hijack delivery vehicles for the valuable goods they are carrying. From electronics and fashion items to groceries and household appliances, hijackers know that these vehicles often carry high-value cargo.
Where the hijacked loads have been reported to insurers, 81% of these were fast-moving consumable goods (FMCG), including alcohol, clothing, groceries, homeware and medication.
In criminal circles, cargo is now considered more valuable and desirable than the transportation vehicle itself, thus the escalation in opportunistic freight vehicle hijackings.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Statistics for 2023, there were 14,000 reported hijackings in 2022, with a significant number (25% or 3000 hijackings) involving small delivery vehicles. We now know that there is significant under reporting of these instances to the police. According to the South African Insurance Association (SAIA) and industry security groups, a significant portion of hijackings are reported to insurers or security companies first. These incidents are often tracked and handled with private security measures, which can sometimes bypass direct police reporting. This is because the effectiveness of police responses and the follow-through on investigations have been questioned, contributing to a perceived gap in reporting and resolution. If the hijacking involves any forensic evidence, such as fingerprints, DNA, or other physical traces left on the vehicle, SAPS may impound the truck to conduct a thorough investigation. SAPS investigators may look for signs of tampering, blood, weapons, or other items that could link the perpetrators to the crime and these investigations can take months.
In cases where the cargo is found, impounding the vehicle helps authorities investigate the chain of theft, identify the location and destination of the stolen goods, and potentially link the crime to larger criminal syndicates involved in cargo theft or hijacking operations.
The negative impact for freight operators is that this vehicle will be off the road for a period of weeks while the SAPS conduct their investigation, and this is time off the road that cannot be afforded.
Gauteng remains the province with the highest volume of business vehicle-related crime, accounting for 56% of incidents. KwaZulu-Natal experiences 14% of these incidents and the Western Cape 13%.
The South African Vehicle Theft and Hijacking Prevention Council (VTIHPC) has reported that approximately 25% of all vehicle hijackings in metropolitan areas involve small commercial vehicles, many of which are used for deliveries. In a survey conducted by The South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC), 43% of delivery drivers noted that they had experienced some form of criminal activity while on duty, with hijacking being the most common threat.
Several factors contribute to the growing vulnerability of small delivery vehicles to hijackings in South Africa:
- High-Value Cargo: Delivery vehicles, particularly those servicing e-commerce businesses, often carry high-demand goods that are easily resold on the black market. From gadgets to fashion items, criminals know that these deliveries represent quick cash.
- Limited Security Measures: Small delivery companies often have fewer resources to invest in security technologies like GPS tracking, anti-theft devices, or well-trained security personnel. In contrast to larger logistics companies that can afford robust security measures, small businesses are more exposed to risk.
- Urban Congestion: Delivery drivers often navigate busy urban areas, where traffic congestion and poorly-lit streets provide ideal conditions for hijackers to strike. Delivery drivers may also be less vigilant while in areas they perceive to be safe or when making stops at residential or commercial properties.
- Lack of Police Resources: While South Africa’s police service has made strides in addressing hijacking crimes, limited resources and large urban areas with high crime rates can make it difficult for law enforcement to protect delivery vehicles, especially in hotspots for hijackings.
- Growing Demand for “Same-Day” Deliveries: As e-commerce consumers demand faster deliveries, drivers are under pressure to complete their routes quickly. This rush to meet tight deadlines can result in drivers taking risks or being less cautious, making them more vulnerable to attack.
- Ordered Crime: This author is aware of situations where orders have been placed by criminals through online sites with the knowledge that the couriers would have to deliver to a specific area and would be carrying other parcels in their vehicle as well. The criminals wait for the vehicle to arrive with the online order placed and then hijack it.
The Effect on Food deliveries
One would have thought that unlike e-commerce deliveries, which often contain high-value items, food deliveries typically involve lower-value goods and therefore they would be immune to crime. This is not the case though, as these food couriers are carrying cash for orders and are therefore prime targets for opportunistic criminals. In addition their motorcycles and scooters are attractive to thieves due to their mobility and resale value.
Combine this with the fact that food couriers often work late hours and in unfamiliar areas, which increases their vulnerability to assault or robbery. While specific data on food courier crimes is limited, anecdotal evidence suggests a concerning trend. Food couriers report being robbed multiple times in a single month.
The South African Police Service has noted an increase in reported incidents involving food delivery personnel. Particularly in certain areas, in major cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town, which are considered high-risk zones for deliveries.
Conclusion
The surge in hijackings targeting small delivery vehicles is a growing concern for both the e-commerce industry and the safety of South African citizens. While the rapid growth of online shopping presents immense opportunities for businesses, it also brings with it significant risks. To ensure the continued success of e-commerce in South Africa, it is essential for businesses, law enforcement, and communities to work together to combat hijackings and create safer conditions for delivery personnel. As the country continues to embrace e-commerce, protecting the delivery infrastructure will be key to ensuring that this sector can thrive in a safe and sustainable way.
Sources:
- Statista, “E-commerce in South Africa – Statistics & Facts,” (2023)
- South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Statistics (2023)
- South African Vehicle Theft and Hijacking Prevention Council (VTIHPC)
- The South African Council of Shopping centres (SACSC)
- South African Association of Insurers (SAIA)
- World Wide Worx (May, 2024)